Crosby, Malkin out of all-star game

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QMI Agency

Looks like the Pittsburgh Penguins contingent at the NHL all-star game will be a little smaller than expected.

According to a report in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, injured Pens stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin won't be on the ice for Sunday's game in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Crosby, the report says, is definitely out while Malkin probably won't play. Team officials believe Malkin's chances of playing are slim.

An official announcement about Crosby is expected from the Penguins in the next couple of days. He's missed eight games due to a concussion and hasn't even gotten clearance to resume skating with the team.

A recurring knee injury and sinus infection has kept Malkin out of action the last two games. He was first injured in October -- he missed four games earlier this season -- then aggravated the problem twice in January.

Although both forwards will likely miss the game, it's unclear if they will take part in off-ice activities that surround the all-star game.

Crosby and Malkin were both voted as all-star game starters by fans along with defenceman Kris Letang and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

No Nabby on Island

Don't bet the farm that the New York Islanders will be able to convince Evgeni Nabokov to report.

Nabokov, who signed with the Detroit Red Wings Friday and was claimed on waivers by the Islanders Saturday, hung up on GM Garth Snow, according to a report on the New York Daily News website.

Snow confirmed the Nabokov hung up on him when he tried to make initial contact Saturday, a tidbit revealed earlier by Islanders owner Charles Wang.

But Snow downplayed the incident, saying he was told by Nabokov's agent that the Russian goaltender didn't know who was on the phone. Snow did eventually talk to Nabokov but wouldn't say if he got a commitment from him.

"He had his heart set on going to Detroit, obviously," Snow told the Daily News. "I told him I respect that, but he's a New York Islander now and we'd love to have him part of our group. He'll come here. He's a professional."

Nabokov told ESPN that he wouldn't report to a non-contender.

Quick hits

Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk could be back in the lineup Tuesday against the Canadiens. He was injured in the third period of Saturday's game against the Devils and missed Sunday's tilt with the Blackhawks ... The Canucks returned forward Sergei Shirokov to Manitoba of the AHL and recalled defenceman Lee Sweatt. Shirokov had one goal in two games with the Canucks ... Centre Andreas Engqvist was sent back to Hamilton of the AHL by the Canadiens. Engqvist played two games for the injured-riddled Habs.